Miami Marred by Anti-Semitic Vandalism

Over the past few days, two anti-Semitic acts have been committed in the least likely of places: Miami, Florida. Congregation Torah V’Emunah, a synagogue in North Miami Beach, was spray-painted with swastikas and the word “Hamas” on Monday morning, JTA reports. This act of vandalism comes just two days after the cars of a Jewish family in Miami Beach were egged and covered in cream cheese while the family attended Shabbat services. The cars, parked in the mainly Jewish neighborhood of Miami Beach, were vandalized with the words “Jew” and “Hamas.” According to CBS Miami, police are investigating the act as a potential hate crime, and many members of the neighborhood plan to install surveillance cameras.

The family that owned the cars had emigrated from Iran to the U.S. 25 years ago, and they were shocked to encounter anti-Semitism in America. Rachel Shakib, a member of the family, told CBS Miami, “Why would we be targeted here? We’re supposed to be safe, free from anti-Semitism.”